Holistic Healing: Advancing Psychosocial Cancer Care Through Occupational Therapy

In 2025, an estimated 2,041,910 cancer diagnoses will be given in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2025). With continued developments in cancer research, this increased number of diagnoses also leads to a growing number of cancer survivors. In the depths of traditional Western approaches to cancer care, however, the person behind the diagnosis often remains unaddressed. This doctoral experiential capstone project focused on the integration of occupational therapy within the Cancer House of Hope, a nonprofit community organization in West Springfield, Massachusetts supporting individuals living with and beyond cancer. The project aimed to increase psychosocial support for individuals along the cancer continuum through pro bono occupational therapy service delivery, advocacy for the distinct role of occupational therapy in cancer care, and demonstration of the efficacy of occupational therapy for cancer-related psychosocial implications.